AN INCREASED police presence will patrol a Tranent park following complaints from members of the public.

Reports of smashed bottles and underage drinking in Polson Park have been highlighted to local officers.

Now police, along with community wardens, intend to carry out extra patrols at the park, between Edinburgh Road and Lammermoor Terrace, this weekend.

Ward councillor Colin McGinn was among those highlighting the issue at the town’s community council meeting last week.

He said: “I was there last Friday night when disorder was happening. I was walking my dog and it was pitch black. There were about 30-40 kids, a lot of drinking and bottles getting smashed.

“It was 6.15pm and I went down on Saturday and you could see the evidence.”

Mr McGinn had spoken with local police officers and East Lothian Council’s community wardens.

He said: “I was at the tennis courts and you could hear the youngsters. They had their phones and torches on and it was just kids carrying on but there was alcohol there.

“You could see bottles going up in the air and smashing.

“When I went on Saturday, it was a hell of a mess.”

Tina McAvoy, from the town’s community council, noted the issue had been highlighted on Facebook while a friend had got in touch with her about the matter. She also highlighted there had been vandalism at The Heugh, where a bench was damaged, while there had been reports of fences being pushed over near The Fraser Centre.

Police Constable Graeme Bairden was at the group’s meeting and said police were “aware” of the issue.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “The safer communities team regularly assess where problems of anti-social behaviour may be occurring and the community wardens work closely with Police Scotland to provide appropriate action to tackle the problem.

“There have been concerns expressed by local residents about incidents of anti-social behaviour at Polson Park and, as a result, there will be increased patrols by community wardens to the park and surrounding area.”